United Kingdom Unemployment Rate

The UK unemployment rate fell to 3.8 percent in the first quarter of 2019, its lowest level since the October to December 1974 period and slightly below market expectations of 3.9 percent. Unemployment dropped by 65,000, the most in more than two years, and employment increased by 99,000 amid Brexit uncertainty. Meanwhile, total pay growth eased to 3.2 percent from the previous period's 3.5 percent, which was the highest rate since mid-2008. Unemployment Rate in the United Kingdom averaged 6.99 percent from 1971 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 12 percent in February of 1984 and a record low of 3.40 percent in November of 1973.

Unemployment Rate in the United Kingdom is expected to be 3.80 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate Unemployment Rate in the United Kingdom to stand at 3.80 in 12 months time. In the long-term, the United Kingdom Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 4.00 percent in 2020, according to our econometric models.

Trading Economics members can view, download and compare data from nearly 200 countries, including more than 20 million economic indicators, exchange rates, government bond yields, stock indexes and commodity prices.

UK Unemployment Rate Drops to Over 44-Year Low

The UK unemployment rate fell to 3.8 percent in the first quarter of 2019, its lowest level since the October to December 1974 period and slightly below market expectations of 3.9 percent. Unemployment dropped by 65,000, the most in more than two years, and employment increased by 99,000 amid Brexit uncertainty. Meanwhile, total pay growth eased to 3.2 percent from the previous period's 3.5 percent, which was the highest rate since mid-2008.

For January to March 2019, an estimated 1.30 million people were unemployed, 119,000 fewer than for a year earlier and 914,000 fewer than for five years earlier. Estimated unemployment rates for both men and women aged 16 years and over have been generally falling since late 2013. For January to March 2019, the estimated unemployment rate: for men was 3.9 percent; it has not been lower since March to May 1975; for women was 3.7 percent, the lowest since comparable records began in 1971.

There were 32.70 million people aged 16 years and over in employment, 354,000 more than for a year earlier. This annual increase of 354,000 was due entirely to more people working full-time (up 372,000 on the year to reach 24.11 million). Part-time working showed a small fall of 18,000 on the year to reach 8.59 million. Estimated employment rates for men and women aged between 16 and 64 years have been generally increasing since early 2012. For January to March 2019, the estimated employment rate: for all people was 76.1 percent, the joint-highest since comparable records began in 1971; for men was 80.3 percent; slightly higher than for a year earlier (80 percent); for women was 71.8 percent, the joint-highest since comparable records began in 1971.

There were 8.61 million people aged from 16 to 64 years not in the labour force (economically inactive). This was: 69,000 fewer than for a year earlier; 390,000 fewer than for five years earlier. Since comparable records began in 1971, the economic inactivity rate for all people aged from 16 to 64 years has been generally falling (although it increased during recessions). This is due to a gradual fall in the economic inactivity rate for women. For people aged from 16 to 64 years, for January to March 2019, the estimated economic inactivity rate: for all people was 20.8 percent, close to a record low; for men was 16.3 percent; for women was 25.3 percent, the joint-lowest since comparable records began in 1971.

Average weekly earnings rose by an annual 3.2 percent in the three months to March, easing from 3.5 percent in the previous period and missing market expectations of 3.4 percent. Excluding bonuses, they rose by 3.3 percent on the year, in line with market consensus. In real terms, wages grew by 1.3 percent including bonuses and by 1.5 percent excluding bonuses.

UK Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 44-Year Low
The UK unemployment rate stood at 3.9 percent in the three months to February 2019, its lowest level since the November 1974-January 1975 period and in line with market expectations. Employment continued to increase at a solid pace despite Brexit uncertainty and total pay growth was at the joint highest rate since mid-2008. Published on 2019-04-16

UK Jobless Rate Drops to New 44-Year Low
The unemployment rate in the UK edged down to 3.9 percent in the the three months to January 2019, its lowest level since the November 1974-January 1975 period and slightly below market expectations of 4 percent. The number of unemployed fell by 35,000 on the quarter while employment increased by 222,000, the biggest rise since the three months to November 2015. Total pay growth eased to 3.4 percent on the year, remaining close to a near decade-high seen in the three months to December. Published on 2019-03-19

UK Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 44-Year Low
The unemployment rate in the UK came in at 4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018, its lowest level since the 1970s and in line with market expectations. The number of unemployed fell by 14,000 on the quarter while employment increased by 167,000. Earnings growth held at 3.4 percent on the year in Q4, the biggest rise since the three months to July 2008. Published on 2019-02-19

UK Jobless Rate at Near 44-Year Low
The unemployment rate in the UK fell to 4 percent in the three months to November 2018, its lowest level since the 1970s and slightly below market expectations of 4.1 percent. The number of unemployed rose by 8,000 on the quarter while employment increased by 141,000. Average weekly earnings including bonuses rose 3.4 percent on the year, their biggest rise since the three months to July 2008; excluding bonuses, wages grew 3.3 percent, the most since the end of 2008. Published on 2019-01-22

United Kingdom Unemployment Rate

In the United Kingdom, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United Kingdom Unemployment Rate - actual data, historical chart and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2019.